will the opus 150 power my system? I have all the figures

**UPDATE**

I have just tested this set-up with a multimeter. Apparently the computer is pulling less than I had thought. It pulls 65 watts at IDLE and 95 watts peak (cpu was 100%, with cpu burn software running, and playing mp3 off the hard disk, and copying a cdr to the hard disk off the cdrom.

Here is the peak current draw for my system on each rail.
3.3v - 3 amps
12v - 2.75 amps (without lilliput or amplifier relay)
5v - 10.4 amps not 15.8 amps like I had thought before
the 5v rail while playing an mp3 is only 7.5 amps

According to this it looks like the 150 opus on its own without any POL's or dohickys to boost up amperage should be fine. I hope this helps out anyone else looking to power a faster system than the epia boards ...

stuff outside case
------------------
0.75 AMP for lilliput touch screen (I want to run it off the OPUS)
0.3 AMP for relay to turn on amplifiers in car
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4.2 AMPS total on the 12 volt rail (3.6 AMPS without case fan)

The only thing I think I have missed is the CPU and thatís because I can't
figure out what rail it pulls from. Reading online the newer cpus pull off the 12volt line where the older cpus p3 down and amd (no idea) used the 5volt rail. I worked out the duron 750 to pull about 3 amps at max.

if the 3 amps is all on the 12 volt rail, it looks like i could possible squeak by without a case fan. If the 3 amps for the duron is on the 5 volt rail there is a bit more room there so I don't have to worry.

Am I looking at all this right or is my logic thus far wrong ? Anyone who has used the 150 opus and pushed it to its limits, I would appreciate any input you have on my setup.

From what I see, It is possible to work with a opus 150 but the 12 volt rail looks maxed out.

sorry, about your other question, I was looking at what other people are running and they seem to be using higher power systems than this one. However I do not want to over stress the power supply.
I also know that a lot of the things listed are at 100% current draw. Probably all those devices wouldn't be on or running full out at the same time. I am pretty close to the limit I think which is why I wanted to double check.

Do you self a favor, if you can afford it, get an Epia board. I was struggling with the same set up as you, even the same MOBO.

Have you factored in powering a USB hub(I know you have 6 ports)? Also Keyboard and future expansion ? Also the lilli is rated @ 1amp if I remember correctly. Under powering the lilli will reduce briteness.

It is going to be close, in fact your gonna be over but Opus is under rated. I called Opus and spoke with an engineer there for about half an hour (not a sales rep) he said with an additional POL or something on the 5v line it could be done.

I was suprised that he was not concerned with the 12v.
He also asked me if there was a square power connector on the motherboard I checked there is not one. He told me if there was one, it would not work at all.

That OPUS is damn expensive for a power supply. If you can buy the Epia board you will not have the worry of over stressing the power supply. Also, perhaps you will get your set up working then the power cuts out. Is it the MOBO/Powersupply? hmm that would drive me nuts.

Get a case with a 120W DC-DC PSU included (like a Travla C137-120, C138-120, or C158-120, or the Morex P4-3677, P4-3688, or P4-3699) and add the CarNetix P1900 in front of it. You will end up with the functional equivalent of the Opus (startup/shutdown/crank survival, etc) at a slightly lower power rating (140W total including the secondary output of the P1900), but also at a significantly lower price ($99.95 for the P1900, case includes 120W PSU). Something to think about.

I plan to write my own media software in the future for the car and I doubt the 1 gig C3 has enough power, I also remember that the cpu usage was very high just playing a dvd.

I don't need a USB hub, I only can think of the 4 things i have listed for usb and I still have 2 more ports. I also don't see adding anymore usb devices. Keyboard and mouse i would probably only use for setup, but your right i should add them in there anyways.

thanks for the tip on the brightness I will have to make sure the 12 volt is not overloaded.

It is going to be close, in fact your gonna be over but Opus is under rated. I called Opus and spoke with an engineer there for about half an hour (not a sales rep) he said with an additional POL or something on the 5v line it could be done.

hmmm I have seen that on their site. I will have to consider that

I was surprised that he was not concerned with the 12v.
He also asked me if there was a square power connector on the motherboard I checked there is not one. He told me if there was one, it would not work at all.

(Those square connectors with 4 pins are 12 volts which go directly to the cpu mainly for newer P4's) Apparently the athlon 1800 range still pulls off the 12 volt rail even tho there is no 4 pin 12 volt connector on the motherboards. I am just not sure of the durons. I read somewhere that the early K7's ran on the 5v rail. I think that was before duron tho so most likely its on the 12 volt rail.)

That OPUS is damn expensive for a power supply. If you can buy the Epia board you will not have the worry of over stressing the power supply. Also, perhaps you will get your set up working then the power cuts out. Is it the MOBO/Powersupply? hmm that would drive me nuts.

since i already have all the hardware except the power supply, I would rather just buy 2 power supplies than change all my stuff now. run the hard disk and cd-rom off one and the mobo off the other .... or like you said get an additional POL.

I wish i knew what rail the duron pulls its power from ... it would make things so much easier.

Mike H-

I already purchased all the hardware I want to run, I am running a 1u rackmount case. I will have a look at those products tho.

This is the best description I just found online about cpu's and psu voltage rails.

"select the basic mobo, this is very important as an AMD board without a +12V mobo connector (little 4 pin 2x2 connector or an inline 6 pin) or a P3 mobo will be powering the CPU off the +5V rail, whereas a modern board will be powering the CPU off the +12V rail (P4 mobos and AMD boards with an Auxillary +12V mobo connector)"